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Five trips — to Utah, Italy, England and France, Cuba, and Senegal — have been announced as part of the program. Faculty from various disciplines work together to craft these unique BreakAway expeditions that allow students to explore the culture, history and economy of their destination in a multidisciplinary way. 

IC values experiential learning opportunities locally and abroad in preparing graduates to work in an increasingly global economy. Many students describes their experiences on BreakAways as “life-changing,” shifting their world views and teaching them valuable lessons while they create unforgettable memories. 

All qualifying IC students have access to a one-time $1,000 BreakAway subsidy to make trips more accessible for anyone interested in broadening their IC education in another country. Each BreakAway is led by IC faculty members for a determined number of credit hours, and vary from ten days to three weeks long. Trips are scheduled when classes are not in session. 

BreakAway opportunities for 2019:

• Utah -- Protecting our Public Lands
  • March 2 - 9, 2019 | Led by Kevin Klein and T.J. Devine

The Public Lands BreakAway is an opportunity for students to explore some of the more isolated public land areas in the American west. Through this exploration and course content, students will be understand the environmental, economic and political landscapes associated with several National Parks and Monuments in Utah.

• Italy – Money and Beauty: The Economy and Art
  • May 14-25, 2019 | Led by Nausser Jamali and Mika'il Petin

This Breakaway will include stops throughout Italy in Rome, Florence, Pisa, Venice and Milan. The trip was inspired by an exhibit by the same name created by the Palazzo Strozzi Foundation to take visitors on a journey to explore the roots of Florentine power in Europe, the church’s economic and political importance and the economic mechanisms that allowed for the domination of the trade and business worlds. Students will have the opportunity to discover the lasting monuments of financial ingenuity throughout the Italian landscape and uncover the complex relationships linking money to art. 

• England and France: War and Peace
  • May 14-27, 2019 | Led by Paul and Almut Spalding

This trip is planned close to the 75th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy during WWII and just after the centennial of the end of WWI. With destinations in London(England), Normandy, Paris and Strasbourg (France), this BreakAway focuses on wars of the 20th century, northern and eastern France have been the battleground for conflicts and power struggles for much longer than the last century. The beginning of the trip focuses on D-Day and students will also encounter the earlier “Great War” deeper inside the continent. From exploration of the medieval Tapestry of Bayeux that commemorate the Norman Conquest in 1066, to the Nazi concentration camp outside Strasbourg this historical journey will uncover evidence of an entire millennium of power struggles and conquests.

• Cuba: BreakAway to the Tropics – Celebrating Our Sixth Year in Cuba
  • May 20-June 3 | Led by Bryan Arnold, Diana Grullon Garcia, Steven Gardner and Larry Zettler

Illinois College celebrates the sixth anniversary of its relationship with the University of Pinar del Rio (UPR) in western Cuba. The trip includes visits to Habana and Guanahacabibes National Park, and will expand on prior exchanges and collaborations with faculty and students. Students will participate in field experiences in one of three areas — the ecology of Cuba through bat and orchid research, its healthcare system with visits to clinics  or photography, working with a UPR faculty member to develop a portfolio. All participants will go on cultural excursions to experience Cuban art, music and food. Students who wish to practice their Spanish skills can do so in a welcoming society while encountering an amazingly untouched natural world, so close and yet for decades so far from the US. 

• Senegal: Urban Life in Senegal
  • June 4-21, 2019 | Led by Devin Bryson and Emily Adams

This BreakAway introduces students to one of the most important West African countries. Senegal offers multiple opportunity for study through its political stability, rich culture and acceptance of ethnic and religious diversity. Students will explore the vibrant, growing country as they focus on the variety of life, culture and experiences within its capital city of Dakar. The city has much to offer in terms of urban cultures, diversity and opportunities, despite the problems it faces as it continues to grow. In this way, Dakar will come to represent much of contemporary West Africa, with its duality of potential and limitations. The group  will collaborate with the West African Research Center in Dakar and interact with Senegalese experts, scholars, artists and residents who will give lectures on various topics. Site visits will put the knowledge into context and provide many chances for hands-on learning. 

For more information on the BreakAway program, procedures and deadlines for participating and specific trip details, visit www.ic.edu/breakaways.